Morphological-anatomical and chemical features of Copernicia alba fruits and seeds, a palm from Brazilian Pantanal.

Copernicia alba (Arecaceae) is a palm tree regionally known as carandá that forms large populations and produces abundant fruits, an important food source for the local fauna in Brazilian wetlands. The fruits present morphological variations regarding color, shape and dimensions. In this study fruits of different shapes were collected and processed following routine techniques in plant morphology, and biochemistry analysis of endosperm. (hemicellulose) The fruits isdark, of the berry type, with partially fibrous pericarp, rich in phenolic compounds; the ruminated seed coat also contains phenols; the endosperm, formed of cells with highly thickened, not lignified hemicellulosic walls, stores xyloses, proteins and lipids. The embryo is short and straight. Xylose is the leading sugar of xylan, which can be liberated by hydrolysis with specific enzymes, such as xylanases. This sugar is of interest in several industrial sectors, such as the production of biofuels and xylitol for foods. Excepting depth of seed rumination, C. alba fruits do not have relevant differences in anatomy and classes of substances detected. The fruit yield showed differences associated with its shape, indicating the best utilization. Considering fruit anatomical features and tissue composition, we highlight that the seeds of C. alba have the potential as a new functional food source.

New Aspects of Secretory Structures in Five Alismataceae Species: Laticifers or Ducts?

The secretory structures of Alismataceae have been described as secretory ducts, laticifer ducts, laticifer canals or schizogenous ducts. However, these terms are not found in the specialized literature, and ontogenetic analyses for the exact classification of these structures are missing. Accordingly, more studies regarding the secretory structures of Alismataceae are necessary to establish homology in the family or in the order. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the anatomy, ontogeny, distribution in the organs and exudate composition of the secretory structures present in five Alismataceae species in order to determine whether the family has laticifers or secretory ducts. Samples of leaves, flowers and floral apices were processed for anatomical and histochemical analyses by light microscopy. The analysis indicated the presence of anastomosing secretory ducts in all species, occurring in both leaves and flowers. The exudate contains lipids, alkaloids, proteins and polysaccharides, including mucilage. The secretory duct structure, distribution and exudate composition suggest a defense role against herbivory and in wound sealing. The presence of secretory ducts in all species analyzed indicates a probable synapomorphy for the family.

Leaf anatomy of two medicinal Croton species: Contribution to plant recognition.

Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae) is the second largest genus of the Euphorbiaceae s.l. family, which is composed of about 1,200 taxa. Several species are widely used medicinally in various parts of the world to treat cancer, digestive problems, skin diseases, malaria, ulcers, and obesity. The leaves and stems are sold as dehydrated fragments, or in powder form, and used in the preparation of teas and various types of formulations. The aim of this study was to accurately characterize the leaf anatomy of Croton bonplandianus Baill. and Croton gracilipes Baill. and to perform histochemical analysis of laticifers to provide subsidies for botanical certification. To accomplish this, leaf blade and petiole samples were fixed and prepared following standard techniques for scanning electron and light microscopy. Histochemical tests were carried out on sections to detect the compounds present in the secretions. Results showed neutral and acidic lipids, as well as phenolic compounds, in the latex. In addition, leaf anatomical structures of these two species were studied for specific identification of morphological characters and for quality assessment of these medicinal plants.

Anatomia foliar de três espécies de Stylosanthes SW. e sua associação com a composição e formação potencial de fitobezoares em bovinos / Leaf anatomy of three species of Stylosanthes SW. and its association with the composition and formation potencial of phytobezoar in bovines

Fitobezoares são estruturas formadas pela agregação de fibras, principalmente vegetais, no trato digestivo de ruminantes, ocasionando obstruções intestinais que podem levar o animal à morte. Informações sobre a formação desse aglomerado ainda são escassas. Neste estudo, são identificados os principais componentes de fitobezoares bovinos, e descrita as estruturas anatômicas das folhas de três espécies de Stylosanthes SW.: S.capitata Vogel, S. macrocephala M. B. Ferreira & S. Costa, S. guianensis var. vulgaris M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa cv. 'Mineirão' e S. guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. As plantas selecionadas são utilizadas na dieta do gado e potenciais formadoras do fitobezoar. Os fitobezoares foram fragmentados para análise de sua composição e analisados seguindo-se as técnicas da anatomia vegetal. As fibras e cristais encontrados em fitobezoares são similares aos observados nos feixes esclerenquimáticos presentes nos folíolos das espécies de Stylosanthes avaliadas. Nossos resultados apontam diferenças na abundância de fibras nos folíolos de cada espécie. S. macrocephala é a variedade que sugere maior potencial para formação de fitobezoares no trato digestivo de animais que se alimentam dessa leguminosa, devido a abundância de fibras e cristais presentes na folha. Os feixes esclerenquimáticos, idioblastos e a abundância de cristais de oxalato de cálcio nas espécies Stylosanthes podem potencializar a formação de fitobezoares em ruminantes, em especial quando essas leguminosas são consumidas em excesso.

Phytobezoars are structures formed by the aggregation of primarily plant fibers in the digestive tract of ruminants, causing intestinal obstruction that can lead to the death of an animal. Information about the formation of these clusters is scarce. This study identified the main components of bovine phytobezoars and described the leaf anatomy of three species and one variety of Stylosanthes SW.: S.capitata Vogel, S. macrocephala B. Ferreira & S. Costa, S. guianensis var. vulgaris M.B. & Sousa Ferreira Costa cv. 'Mineirão' and S. guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. These plants are used as feed for livestock and probably contribute to the formation of phytobezoars. The phytobezoars were fragmented for analysis of their internal composition and were studied according to plant anatomy techniques. The fibers and crystals found in phytobezoars were similar to the sclerenchyma fiber bundles found in Stylosanthes. The comparative analysis of Stylosanthes showed differences in the abundance of fibers in the leaflets of each species. S. macrocephala is the variety that may have the highest potential for formation of phytobezoars in the digestive tract of animals because there was an abundance of fibers and crystals present in the leaf. The sclerenchyma bundles, idioblasts, and the abundance of calcium oxalate crystals in Stylosanthes species may potentiate the formation of phytobezoars in ruminants, particularly when these legumes are consumed in excess.

Secretory cavities and volatiles of Myrrhinium atropurpureum Schott var. atropurpureum (Myrtaceae): an endemic species collected in the restingas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In this study, we investigated the leaf anatomy and the composition of volatiles in Myrrhinium atropurpureum var. atropurpureum endemic to Rio de Janeiro restingas. Particularly, leaf secretory structures were described using light microscopy, and histochemical tests were performed from fresh leaves to localize the secondary metabolites. To observe secretory cavities, fixed leaf samples were free-hand sectioned. To evaluate lipophilic compounds and terpenoids the following reagents were employed: Sudans III and IV, Red oil O and Nile blue. Leaf volatiles were characterized by gas chromatography after hydrodistillation (HD) or simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE). Leaf analysis showed several cavities in mesophyll that are the main sites of lipophilic and terpenoid production. Monoterpenes, which represented more than 80% of the major volatiles, were characterized mainly by alpha- and beta-pinene and 1,8-cineole. In order to provide tools for M. atropurpureum identification, the following distinguishing characteristics were revealed by the following data: 1) adaxial face clear and densely punctuated by the presence of round or ellipsoidal secretory cavities randomly distributed in the mesophyll; 2) the presence of cells overlying the upper neck cells of secretory cavities; 3) the presence of numerous paracytic stomata distributed on the abaxial leaf surface, but absent in vein regions and leaf margin; and 4) non-glandular trichomes on both leaf surfaces. Our study of the compounds produced by the secretory cavities of M. atropurpureum led us to conclude that volatile terpenoid class are the main secretory compounds and that they consist of a high concentration of monoterpenes, which may indicate the phytotherapeutic importance of this plant.